Ask the Author: Tarun Betala
Answered Questions (5)
Tarun Betala
Generally, reading things and talking to people inspire me to write.
For instance: Earlier, I was reading about how some people prefer art, and others prefer science. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend about iPhones vs. Android phones; I remember a conversation on the internet about Marvel vs. DC; I'm always reminded of people who compare one thing to another.
Why compare? Why not enjoy both? You only get one life, and both are equally "real"... Why do we need to compete and have one be better than the other?
And yet, this competitiveness, this comparison does help us grow as a species, makes us unite in some cases...
But, I digress. It is just things that I observe and think about that inspire me to write.
For instance: Earlier, I was reading about how some people prefer art, and others prefer science. It reminded me of a conversation I had with a friend about iPhones vs. Android phones; I remember a conversation on the internet about Marvel vs. DC; I'm always reminded of people who compare one thing to another.
Why compare? Why not enjoy both? You only get one life, and both are equally "real"... Why do we need to compete and have one be better than the other?
And yet, this competitiveness, this comparison does help us grow as a species, makes us unite in some cases...
But, I digress. It is just things that I observe and think about that inspire me to write.
Tarun Betala
Three books simultaneously. One "main" book and two side books.
The main work is a follow up to my first book, "The Things We Don't Know". Since it's a part of a series, the second book needs to be released relatively soon so I don't lose momentum.
The other two side projects are a semi-autobiographical book, and a short re-imagining of the epic of Gilgamesh.
The main work is a follow up to my first book, "The Things We Don't Know". Since it's a part of a series, the second book needs to be released relatively soon so I don't lose momentum.
The other two side projects are a semi-autobiographical book, and a short re-imagining of the epic of Gilgamesh.
Tarun Betala
1. Write what you would read (seriously!). This is not my own advice, but it is solid. If you write what you read, you will keep rereading it, and therefore, keep editing it.
2. Set deadlines. It's easy to procrastinate as a writer. If you don't have a looming deadline on your head - it's never going to get done.
3. Be your own worst critic. Only you know the content as well as you. Question ever word, every sentence. Question why. Question if a portion is too long. Question if it's too short.
2. Set deadlines. It's easy to procrastinate as a writer. If you don't have a looming deadline on your head - it's never going to get done.
3. Be your own worst critic. Only you know the content as well as you. Question ever word, every sentence. Question why. Question if a portion is too long. Question if it's too short.
Tarun Betala
There are quite a few. Some of my top "best things" are: Being able to create something out of the imagination. Being able to create patterns where there were none before. Writing prose as poetry. and finally, the feeling you get when you re-read it and truly feel it.
Tarun Betala
I try to write something else - preferably a chapter later in the book. Or something completely unrelated. Writing is more like muscle memory, so using it in some way is better than not using it at all!
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